Rest Area Rules and Etiquette - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rest Area Rules and Etiquette

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

The rest area's I have stopped at always have signs that say things like "No Overnight Parking" or "No Parking over 8 hours".

We have never boondocked in a rest area, and never would...unless I needed to get off the road for weather or some other emergency type situation. I would never open the door to a stranger. Keep the door locked and talk through a window if someone comes knocking. Trust no one. I don't care what kind of sob story their spewing. If they need help tell them you will call 911 for them.

Also note that states are closing rest area's as a way to save money. The one's I saw closed were also blocked preventing vehicles from even entering the parking area.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Most of the rest areas we have seen have rules that change by state, and tell you clearly how long you can stay there. A lot of them prohibit overnight stays. Quite honestly I would tend to avoid them for night time use and instead seek out a truck stop. We've overnighted in them a few times and have always felt safe. We don't unhitch, but do put out the slides.

-- Edited by Luvglass on Sunday 27th of December 2009 02:49:09 PM

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've used rest stops while travelling across country on several trips when we had to be somewhere by a certain day (family visits). The rest stops saved time rather than pull off the road to find a campground.

We usually find a slot that allows us to roll out the two slides (I have red LED flashing clip on lights to place on the slides to keep the trucks from running into them).

Like others have said the time limit varies from state to state. We've always been safe, no items stolen out of the pickup bed. Some rest stops have areas for RVs, most have cars and trucks/RVs separated. Be sure to use the truck/RV parking.

The longest we've stayed is about 8 hours. The typical scenario is I drive until I'm too tired to go any further (10 to 11PM), we pull into the next rest stop, I walk the dogs while she rolls out the rooms. We go to bed and get up at dawn and pull out.

Due to the constant traffic in and out of a rest stop, I prefer using truck stops. In truck stops the truckers usually stay put for the night. We usually pull far out into the lot away from the trucks (or use the RV area).

-- Edited by thebearII on Monday 28th of December 2009 09:13:49 AM

Happytrails · RV-Dreams Family Member

I read several years ago on another forum where a former state patrol officer highly recommended NOT staying in rest areas overnight. I definitely would not stop unless there was a guard on duty. If we are just overnighting many times we do one of two things - Wal-Mart or a truck stop such as a Flying J. There is just so much bad stuff happening these days we would rather be safe than sorry.

RonandJacki · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just curious...being a truck driver pulling a refrigerated trailer, I've wondered how RVers handle it when a reefer pulls in next door? Being sympathetic toward RVers (hoping to be one someday) I try to avoid this situation but occasionally, not having any options, I have to park where available. I sometimes use earplugs to get to sleep with the unit running. I realize it can be very annoying, especially on "start/stop" mode.

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonandJacki,

We don't mind a reefer. Both of us are pretty sound sleepers, so something like an engine or reefer unit running all night is actually soothing to listen to.

I really think it all has to do with attitude, we don't let things like noises bother us. My sister-in-law on the other hand has to have absolutely quiet or else she won't sleep. It was a surprise to us when she convinced my brother to buy a condo by the ocean, right next to railroad tracks, in a beach town known for all night parties. They only kept it for a few years.

Any RVer that pulls into a rest or truck stop for the night and thinks it's going to be quiet, ought to think about going on down the road to a campground.

-- Edited by thebearII on Monday 28th of December 2009 02:59:59 PM

RodnReal · RV-Dreams Family Member

I wear ear plugs. I would rather get a good night’s sleep than wake up cranky and irritated that there was noise and I couldn't sleep. Let's face it, life is noisy; I wish I could wear them all the time. ;) For a few $$$ I rest in peace.

My philosophy is "you can't change the direction of the wind, but you can always adjust your sails." It's worked for me so far.

-Connie

-- Edited by RodnReal on Monday 28th of December 2009 04:34:26 PM

jobriant · RV-Dreams Community Member

Colorado_Kid wrote:

I just wanted to get some advice about parking in a Rest Area such as how long you can park your RV there and is there anything you shoul never do.

The rules for Rest Areas are different in each state.

Some states specify a maximum length of time a vehicle may remain parked in a rest area, and this can range from 2 hours to 24 hours, depending on the state. Some states have a different "maximum time" for Interstate Rest Areas than for Rest Areas on other highways. Some states have one "maximum time" for commercial vehicles -- i.e., over-the-road truckers -- and a different limit for non-commercial vehicles.

Many states prohibit "camping" in rest areas, but the legal definition of camping varies from state to state. In some states, sleeping in an RV is defined as "camping" and is thus illegal in rest ares. Other states say that if you're parked in a rest area, and all you need to do to leave is start the engine, release the brake, and drive, then you were "parking" and not "camping" and thus you were legal. But if you had to raise your levelers or bring in a slide, then you were "camping" and you get a ticket.

You need to know the rules for each state through which you plan to travel, or have access to a ready source that tells you where you can and where you can't park overnight.

Jim O'Briant
Administrator
http://www.OvernightRVParking.com

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Colorado_Kid wrote:

I just wanted to get some advice about parking in a Rest Area such as how long you can park your RV there and is there anything you shoul never do.

I use rest stops for two things;

Lunch in which case I park put the cats in the fifth wheel and make up lunchs for myself and the Brideandjoy and if nice out we use one of the picnic tables if not so nice we eat in the fifth wheel. We hang out for a good 30 to 40 minutes taking our time over lunch so the cats get a good break then pack up the cats and get back on the road.

or

Overnighting (not camping) in this scenario's it's normally well after dark (after dinner time most of the time) and in the truckers area I'll either see rigs (Tractors or RV's) closed up for the night. In which case I tuck in among them. About the only time I won't over night is if I see VERY strongly worded signs prohibiting me from doing so. Note a sign saying No Overnight Camping is not a strongly worded sign.

When overnighting I don't put out the slides but we were careful to buy a fifth wheel we could use the kitchen, bath, and bed in without slide outs deployed. We keep the fifth wheel hitched up if we're expecting a lot of wind I may drop the stabilizers down to where they just touch but that's about it.

Mallo

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonandJacki wrote:

Just curious...being a truck driver pulling a refrigerated trailer, I've wondered how RVers handle it when a reefer pulls in next door? Being sympathetic toward RVers (hoping to be one someday) I try to avoid this situation but occasionally, not having any options, I have to park where available. I sometimes use earplugs to get to sleep with the unit running. I realize it can be very annoying, especially on "start/stop" mode.

You and your reefer are no louder then the Winnabago I was parked next too on I95 just around Port St Lucie that was running it's generator all night long.

From one thing and another I understand the regulations OTR drivers have to follow about shutting down after they hit their hours. Rest stops are often times home the night for the truckers. Same as it is for me, if the trucks get too loud and I can't sleep no more then it's time to move on down the road. I don't have a log book to maintain and DoT regs to follow.

Mallo

Jomilt · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have many friends and family in law enforcement, and they ALL recommend NOT staying overnight in Rest Areas, as they are not safe.

Don't mind big trucks parking next to me at all. We try to be understanding and mannerly and give trucks the "right of way" on the highway, since they have a living to make--- and we are only loafing along retired folk.

Once I did mind when we were the ONLY ones on a huge parking lot..parked with windows open on a mild night. We awakened to the most horrible smell... and a trucker had come in and parked full length right near and alongside our RV with a multi decked long trailer load of smelly, squealing PIGS!!!

I guess he was frightened and wanted human closeness so he could safely sleep! Grin.

Happy RVing!

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the advice. I have been doing some researching and it sounds like stopping at a Flying J may be a better option than a regular rest area. From what I have been hearing lately Wal-Mart is cracking down on overnighters in their parking lots. I now the Wal-Mart in the town I am in does not allow it anymore.